Zach Zenner was the Detroit Lions' best running back at the end of last season.

He had the two highest single-game rushing totals, 67 and 69 yards in late-season losses to the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers, for a team that struggled to run the football all year. And yet as the Lions get ready for Sunday's showdown against the undefeated Atlanta Falcons, Zenner still is looking for his first carry this season.

Zenner hasn't dressed for either of the Lions' first two games, wins over the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants, which begs the question (to paraphrase an old Darryl Rogers line), what's a guy got to do to get carries around here?

"Luckily, or however you want to look at it, maybe not luckily, it’s out of my control," Zenner said. "So I’m not going to concern myself with that, I’m just going to do what I would do anyways to prepare as if I were playing and just be ready whenever it’s my chance. Cause you can only make the most of the opportunities you’re given and I try to do that. And after that, you don’t have a say."

Zenner made the most of his opportunities last season, with little reward so far.

He rushed for 64 yards in the first half of a loss to the Cowboys, then had just two carries in the second half.

Against the Packers the next week, with the NFC North division title on the line, Zenner ran for a career-high 69 yards and scored the Lions' first touchdown.

He closed the season with 34 yards rushing on 11 carries in a playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Both starting running back Ameer Abdullah and backup Theo Riddick missed the end of last season with injuries, and as expected, both assumed their spots atop the depth chart upon their return this season.

But the Lions picked Dwayne Washington as their power back (and kick returner) to start the 2017 season, and Washington received nine carries the past two weeks that might have otherwise gone to Zenner.

Zenner, who could make his season debut Sunday with Washington expected to miss multiple weeks with a quad injury, said he has never sought an explanation for why he is where he is on the depth chart.

"Like I said, it’s whatever the decisions are, my job’s just to roll with that and whenever I do get my opportunit,y make the most of it and then back down or back up, whatever happens after that point, again it’s out of my control so just keep rolling," he said.

As curious as Zenner's lack of a role is to some, it's hard to quibble with the results the Lions have achieved in the running game so far.

The Lions (2-0) enter the week tied for 14th in the NFL in rushing at 110 yards per game. And while they haven't run the ball well in the first half of either of their victories, they have had success closing teams out on the ground.

Asked about Zenner on Thursday, Lions coach Jim Caldwell said "a lot of different factors" go into gameday roster decisions, and that he hasn't lost faith in Zenner.

"It shouldn’t give you any indication of what we think about Zach," Caldwell said. "Zach can run the football, I’ve told you that I don’t know how many times. Check back in the records. Zach is capable, and if he gets an opportunity to do it this week, I think you’ll see him get it done. We believe in him. He’s a smart guy, makes very few mistakes and very well rounded."

The defending NFC champion Falcons visit Ford Field for a showdown of 2-0 teams on Sunday. Atlanta is stacked with talent, so here are six players to keep an eye on. Video by Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free Press.
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